
When Nathalie Chambers and her husband, David, first took over Madrona Farm, 27 acres on southern Vancouver Island with a deep history, they never thought their small-scale agricultural business would blossom into an international political act. As pressures from heirs, land developers and industrial farmers grew alongside their rows of organically produced food, the Chambers took action. Considered by many to be revolutionary and by some to be rebellious, their story opened many eyes to the future of food.
Saving Farmland introduces readers to stories of lost farmland and bees saving lives. It shows how sustainability, ecosystems and biodiversity transcend the paradox of our own, man-made losses. Saving Farmland describes overcoming obstacles, choosing models, identifying vital farmland, building community and fundraising. Concluding stories of commonly shared land, international trusts, regained farmland and several heroes provide ongoing inspiration.
This practical book teems with fascinating history and facts. Saving Farmland will help us all support local farming and sustainable land development so we can indulge in good eating—forever.
About Nathalie Chambers
Nathalie Chambers has a diploma in Restoration Ecology from the University of Victoria and has studied Conservation Finance at Yale University. She is the founder of both the Chef Survival Challenge Inc., a fundraising event that channels proceeds to farmland conservation, and the Big Dream Farm Fund, which directs funds towards farmland acquisition and sustainable farming education initiatives. Nathalie and her husband, David Chambers, live and work on Madrona Farm, where they grow more than a hundred varieties of produce year-round for over 4,000 regular customers, including numerous wholesalers and local restaurants. Nathalie is mother to two kids, Sage and Lola, and lives in Victoria, BC.
Table of Contents
Saving Farmland | 1 |
---|---|
Contents | 6 |
Foreword | 8 |
Preface | 12 |
Introduction | 16 |
Part One: Understand the Issues | 20 |
One: Hear the Stories | 22 |
Two: Welcome the Bees | 60 |
Three: Taste the Connections | 82 |
Four: Embrace Ecosystems | 98 |
Five: Encourage Biodiversity | 116 |
Six: Transcend the Paradox | 140 |
Part Two: Take Action | 146 |
Seven: Overcome the Obstacles | 148 |
Eight: Choose a Model | 176 |
Nine: Identify Vital Farmland | 202 |
Ten: Build Community | 210 |
Eleven: Fundraise, Fundraise, Fundraise | 226 |
Part Three: Keep It Up | 250 |
Twelve: Trust the Commons | 252 |
Thirteen: Share Mutual Success | 266 |
Fourteen: Keep Surging Forward | 276 |
Acknowledgements | 298 |
Select Bibliography | 304 |
Notes | 308 |
Book details
- Publisher
- Rmb | Rocky Mountain Books
- Categories
- Sustainable Agriculture, Agriculture and food, Environmental Conservation & Protection
- Published
- June 2015
- Pages
- 480
- Chapters
- 25
- Language
- English
- ISBN EPUB
- 9781771600743
- ISBN Paper
- 9781771600736